I am 19, have an anxiety disorder. no family history of stroke. is it likely ill have one?

Not likely: Anxiety disorder has got nothing to do with stroke but more to do with older age and atherosclerosis of blood vessels. Risk factors are hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, smoking, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle, and old age.

NO!: There are many risk factors for "stroke"-including age, genetics, cardiovascular health, lifestyle habits, etc. Anxiety is not high on the list. But worrying about a stroke at age19 tells me you do indeed have a real problem with anxiety. This is treatable. Get help! -not because of a risk of stroke, but because you deserve to feel better every day & able to enjoy all the good things in your life.

Risk factors: You'll see "stress" at the bottom of this list of risk factors that you can do something about. If you control these you'll be much safer. Treating your disorder and letting go of too much anxiety could help too. ■high blood pressure (hypertension) ■high blood cholesterol ■atrial fibrillation ■diabetes ■being overweight ■excessive alcohol consumption ■physical inactivity ■smoking ■stress.